Grain probe

ABSTRACT

A grain probe according to the invention consists of a sampling tube having a closed lower end, and a series of openings spaced along the length of the tube on one side, each opening being shaped so as to prevent loss of grain through the openings when the tube is in its normal upright position.

United States Patent [561 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 176,038 4/1876 Nelson [72] Inventor EdmundBeuker Melton. Saskatchewan. Canada 839,91 1

73/4252 2,919,028 12/1959 33/126.4X 3,091,969 6/1963 Romanchuketal.......... 73/4252 Primary Examiner-Louis R. Prince [21 Appl. No. [22] Filed July 8, 1969 [45] Patented Aug. I0. 1971 Assistant Examiner- Daniel M. Yasich Attorney-Maybee & Legris ABSTRACT: A grain probe according to the invention consists of a sampling tube having a closed lower end, and a series of openings spaced along the length of the tube on one side, each opening being shaped so as to prevent loss of grain through the openings when the tube is in its normal upright position.

425,411; l75/58,308, 31 l,3l2;33/l26.4

um mm E m." m In m m n AM mm mm a Mum u now Patented Aug. 10, 1971 |nv8n+0r Edmund Beuke y 2 g Aiforneys GRAIN PROBE This invention relates to a sampling device for obtaining ac curately representative samples of grain from a grain bed or other storage pile. A sampling device according to the invention is primarily intended for use with cereal grain, but it is clearly suitable for sampling other granular materials also and the word grain in this specification includes other such materials.

A conventional grain probe comprises an elongated tube having a closed lower end and a series of openings spaced along the length of the tube, which openings can be opened and closed by means of valve members. in use the grain probe is inserted to the full depth of the grain bed while the valves are closed, and the valves are then opened to allow grain to enter the tube from various depths in the bed. The grain is retained in the tube by closing the valves before the tube is withdrawn. Known constructions of grain probe have the disadvantage that they must provide moving parts for operating the valves. it is an object ofthe present invention to provide an improved probe which is of simple design and which is economical in construction.

A grain probe according to the invention consists of a sampling tube having an upper end, a closed lower end, and a series of aligned grain receiving openings spaced along the length of the tube, the wall of the tube being shaped in the vicinity of each opening so as to minimize the tendency of grain to leak through the openings when the tube is withdrawn from a grain bed. Each opening is defined'by a slot providing upper and lower edges, the upper edge being displaced inwardly from the lower edge. Preferably, the lower end of the probe is pointed.

In order that the invention may be readily understood, one embodiment thereof will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing, which is a general perspective view of the grain probe.

The grain probe shown in the drawing consists of a tubular shell 1 having a closed lower end 2 which is pointed to facilitate insertion of the tube into a bed or pile of grain. The

upper end 3 of the tube is open. The shell 1 is perforated along its length to provide a series of aligned grain receiving openings 4, and the portion of the shell immediately above each opening is indented to provide an inwardly sloping wall portion 7. Each opening 4 is therefore defined by a short horizontal slot providing an upper edge 6 (at the lower edge of the wall portion 7) and a lower edge 5 (at the upper edge ofan adjacent shell portion), the edge 6 being displaced inwardly relative to the edge 5, providing a generally petal-shaped opening which lies approximately in a horizontal plane.

In order to select a sample from a storage bin, grain bed, or pile, the probe is inserted into the grain preferably in a downwardly inclined direction so that the openings 4 are on the underside of the tube. When the tube has been inserted to the required depth, the tube is twisted about its own axis to bring the openings into an upper position so that grain can fall through the openings into the tube. The probe is then withdrawn and emptied. It will be noted that the inclined wall portions 7 of the probe constitute barriers which prevent leakage of grain through they openings as the probe is withdrawn. The probe is emptied by inverting it.

It will be appreciated that samples may' be obtained by inserting the probe horizontally or vertically instead of at an inclined angle as described above. Whatever the manner of construction enables the device to be cleaned very easily, and

reduces to a minimum any risk of damage through rough treat ment.

What l claim is:

l. A grain probe consisting of a hollow elongate sampling tube having an open upper end, a closed lower end, and a series of aligned elongated grain receiving openings spaced along the length of the tube and extending transversely of the length thereof, each opening being defined by a slot providing an upper edge and a lower edge, the upper edge being displaced inwardly from the lower edge.

2. A grain probe according to claim I, wherein the closed lower end of the tube is pointed. 

1. A grain probe consisting of a hollow elongate sampling tube having an open upper end, a closed lower end, and a series of aligned elongated grain receiving openings spaced along the length of the tube and extending transversely of the length thereof, each opening being defined by a slot providing an upper edge and a lower edge, the upper edge being displaced inwardly from the lower edge.
 2. A grain probe according to claim 1, wherein the closed lower end of the tube is pointed. 